National Republican., 1887-12-24
A Blind Lander of tho Blind.

1t is probably determined that Roger "
Mills will be chairman Of the committee on
ways and means, aud by usage leader OF
the Rouse of Representatives. Nothing
could moro forcibly expose the intellectual
poverty Of the dominant party than this
consummation. An experience of fourteen
yearsiin Congress has developed Mr.. Mills's
prejudices to wonderful degree aud con-
frmed his native incapacity for acquiring
knowledge.
The new leader Of the House is proud OF
his prejudices, and likes to air them, as wiser
men do their requirements. They have
been spread upon the Congressional Record
in very thin applications, chiefly in connec-
ton with discussions Of the finance and rev.
enue, to which they bear about as much re-
lation as a comic almanac does TO the
science Of astronomy. OF late, since his
promotion has been suspected, his tongue
appears to have been fabricated afresh, and
what Mr.. Mills dignihes with the name Of
his ''views" have awaited their turn with
other contributions to the editorial waste
basket. Some OF his prejudices have
reached the public eye through newspa-
pels which had reserved too much space for
Christmas advertising. They do not differ
from the expressions appearing in the
Record under the name Of Mills, except In
the fresh prancing and plunging which
/ usually chaiacterizes steeds turned into
fresh fields and pastures new to browse.
. 1t is, perhaps, necessary only to say here
that (letting him tell it) Mr.. Mills knows
all about the tariff and the requirements Of
the government In the way Of revenue.
That knowledge was born with him, and he
can't help 1t. That is why In the House he
once said:
The uniform result Of high tariffs has been
to increase the price OF the protected articles
and decrease the price Of farming products,
High tariffs hurt the farmer twice. They hurt
him when he sells and when he buys.
Until he reads this remarkable statement
every farmer will labor under the impress
sion that he buys his clothing, his tools,
and almost everything that he uses or con-
sumes from 40 to 80 per centum cheaper
than he did previous to the enactment of
the present revenue laws. Should he fail
to see this assertion of Mills he will con-
tinue to hold the belief that, excepting
grain, nearly every farm product brings q
higher price than formerly. II he is as In
telligent as the average farmer is he will
also suspect that the near proximity OF
manufactures, fostered and built up by pro-
lection, gives him an improved market,
and that but for the home markets thus
created Mr.. Mills's imaginary hard times
would become hard facts. r
However, 1t would be waste Of precious
time and space TO reiterate the facts Of his
| tory, which the Democratic leader would
like to ignore. To quote him once is to
quote him forever, since his alleged speeches
| all alike in the matter Of what is by
courtesy called logic.
| But Mr.. Mills is not appointed leader Of
the House because wisdom is o requisite Of
Democratic craftsmanship. His boasted
| qualification Is that he is tariff smasher.
In this respect he is superior to Morrison in
| just about the degree that Morrison is su.
perior to him in knowledge OF the subject.
He is appointed to carry out the admins
tration scheme of war on the protective
system. He is the proper agent for that
trust. His natural inclination is to abolish
every protective feature Of our revenue sys.
TEN, as the President directs. But II, al
the proper time, 1t shall be deemed expedi
ent to swallow prstection almost whole,
in view Of the next elections, why MILL
will blindly "lead" the House up to tht
delectable feast. Free trade 10 commerct
is well enough In of years, but free trad,
In so.called Democratic convictions is tn,
usual dodge in the national contests
Doubtless Mills is equal to the emergenc,
and will answer to the jerk OF the cord a
the headquarters of the Democratic machine
He will lead wherever he is forced to lead b.
the exigencies Of the hunt for spoils.